How Ambulance Cover Under TATA AIG's MediCare Select Adds Real-Time Emergency Support

Ambulance cover refers to the reimbursement of the ambulance transportation charges incurred for transporting the insured to the hospital during a medical emergency. Most health insurance online offers this cover as a part of their base insurance plan, ensuring that the policyholder can receive on-time medical help.

Under TATA AIG MediCare Select, you get coverage for ambulance charges incurred up to a radius of 50 kilometres from the insured person’s residence. And the limit of the ambulance charges is up to the sum insured of the policy.

For example, if your TATA AIG MediCare Select plan has a sum insured of ₹15 lakhs and the ambulance charges come up to ₹10,000, then the entire ambulance cost will be reimbursed, provided the total hospital bill is up to ₹15 lakhs.

Here is what you can get from TATA AIG’s private health insurance ambulance cover.

Available During Medical Emergencies

TATA AIG MediCare Select offers emergency ambulance cover to help the insured reach the hospital in time during a medical emergency. For example, if a person experiences sudden cardiac arrest or stroke while at work, at home, or any other place, the insurance plan will cover the ambulance charges incurred to transport them to the hospital.

Applicable for the Nearest Hospital

It is crucial to note that the ambulance cover under this insurance plan is valid for transporting the insured to the nearest hospital from the place of the incident, within a radius of 50 kilometres.

Thus, it implies that the ambulance services must be used to reach the nearest hospital. If one goes to a hospital which is farther away from the nearest one, without a medical necessity, in such a case, the coverage may not be applicable.

Medically Necessary and Prescribed by Doctor

The ambulance cover is valid for taking the insured person to the hospital if it is medically necessary due to their medical condition and the necessity is given in writing by the doctor.

For example, a person is recovering from a recent surgery at home and suddenly experiences breathing issues. The doctor advises transporting him to the hospital using an ambulance due to his unstable health. In this case, the ambulance charges will be covered under the TATA AIG MediCare Select plan.

Includes Transportation from One Hospital to Another

TATA AIG also provides coverage for ambulance transportation from one hospital to another if the insured requires better and advanced treatment. Thus, the hospital and ambulance cover is not just limited to once during hospitalisation, but it can be extended whenever it is deemed necessary for treatment.

Ambulance Cover from Hospital to Home

Another excellent feature of the TATA AIG ambulance insurance coverage is that it extends support to the insured even after treatment. Once the insured receives the treatment at the hospital and is discharged, he may require the ambulance to get home in a stable condition with the help of medical amenities.

If such an arrangement is medically necessary and prescribed by the doctor, then the ambulance expenses will be covered by the insurance policy.

Let us consider an example to understand how ambulance cover in health insurance supports during emergencies.

Name: Mr Sharma

Sum Insured: ₹10 lakhs

Medical Emergency: Chest pain

Mr Sharma was at his home when he suddenly complained of severe chest pain and breathlessness. His family immediately called for an ambulance to take him to the hospital. The ambulance arrived and the paramedics performed an initial ECG and tried to stabilise him while on the way to the hospital.

On arrival at the hospital, he was immediately admitted for treatment and the doctors later confirmed that he suffered a mini heart attack. After recuperating at the hospital, Mr Sharma was back home after a few days. The emergency ambulance charge was ₹4000 and the medical bill came up to ₹2 lakhs.

Here is how the ambulance cover helped Mr Sharma in this case.

1. The ambulance charge of ₹4000 was fully covered under the health policy.
2. Mr Sharma did not have to spend anything from his pocket to avail of the ambulance service.
3. Since the family knew that his TATA AIG MediCare Select policy offers health insurance ambulance cover, they did not hesitate to call the ambulance immediately.
4. The ambulance service provided Mr Sharma with the prompt medical assistance during a heart attack.

Inclusions and Exclusions of Private Health Insurance Ambulance Cover

Inclusions:

• An ambulance must be used during a medical emergency.
• The ambulance must be used to reach the nearest hospital (within a 50 km radius)
• Using an ambulance during non-emergency situations must be medically necessary and must be prescribed by a doctor.

Exclusions:

• Does not cover the cost of private vehicles used for transporting the insured to the hospital.
• Use of an ambulance for routine check-ups and doctor visits.
• Unauthorised or unregistered ambulance services.
• Ambulance charges incurred for pre-existing conditions may not be covered during the waiting period.
• The specific exclusions that are mentioned in the policy.
• Does not cover charges for planned hospitalisation.

When choosing health insurance online, such as TATA AIG MediCare Select, ambulance coverage may seem like a minor feature, but in reality, it plays a crucial role during emergencies. Here is what you should consider.

• Ambulance Coverage Limit - Be aware of the total ambulance coverage amount specified in the policy. For example, some insurance plans may cover up to a specific amount, such as ₹3000 or ₹4000, while others offer it as a percentage of the sum insured. TATA AIG MediCare Select plan allows coverage up to the sum insured, providing a wider financial protection.

• Conditions for Ambulance Cover - Know the necessary conditions for claiming the ambulance cover under health insurance. In most cases, the insured must get admitted to the hospital to claim the ambulance charges. In case hospital admission is rejected, the ambulance cover will not be reimbursed.

• Type of Authorisation Required - Sometimes, a medical emergency is sufficient reason for you to claim the ambulance cover. However, in some cases, you may require a doctor’s prescription or even both to justify the ambulance usage.

• Type of Ambulance - Find out what kind of ambulance is eligible for coverage under the health policy. If a basic ambulance is covered, you may not get the reimbursement for using an advanced life support ambulance, resulting in out-of-pocket expenses.

• Family Ambulance Cover - If you want to buy a family floater plan, find out whether the ambulance cover is separately available for each member or has to be shared among all the insured.

• Usage of Non-Network Ambulance Services - Many insurers provide reimbursement of ambulance cover only if the ambulance is hired from a network hospital or a listed ambulance service provider. Using other ambulance services not listed in the insurance plan may increase your spending.

Much emphasis is laid on ambulance facilities, especially during medical emergencies, as they provide all the necessary first aid to the patient. Let us see what facilities in the ambulance make it so critical.

Essential Equipments in an Ambulance

Here are some of the most crucial equipment in ambulances that assist the patient and stabilise them till they reach the hospital.

• Oxygen Supply - Proves handy in assisting patients with respiratory issues.

• Defibrillator - Helps to manage cardiac patients

• IV Supplies - Important for giving medication and IV fluids.

• First Aid Kit - Useful for aiding injured patients, such as ones involved in road accidents.

• Stretcher - Assist in transporting the patient from and to the hospital.

• ECG Monitor -Aids in monitoring a patient's heart activity.

• Medication Box - Contains essential medicines to be given during emergencies.

• PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) - Saves the ambulance personnel from infections, such as COVID-19.

Non-Essential Equipments in Ambulance

Apart from the essential equipment, an ambulance is also equipped with non-essential equipment to comfort and aid the patients. Here is what it includes.

• Glucose Meter - Helps to monitor diabetic patients

• Blood Pressure Device - May be essential in some cases to monitor the patient's blood pressure levels.

• Burn Treatment Supplies - They may be useful to relieve a burn patient while transporting to the hospital.

• Blanket - Though not always necessary, it is required to keep the patient comfortable.

• Splints- May be useful to mobilise injured patients.

Ambulances provide the necessary assistance to patients during medical emergencies, ensuring that they get the immediate aid for stabilisation. While emergency ambulance cover is a crucial part of health policies, it becomes especially important with critical illness insurance.

When you opt for the MediCare Select plan, it is crucial to be aware of the conditions attached to the ambulance cover, so you can get the reimbursement smoothly. The ambulance coverage works on the basis of the inclusions and exclusions, which clearly outline the scope.

Besides, the TATA AIG MediCare Select plan also offers a host of other benefits that make medical emergencies a smooth navigation for you. Protect yourself and your family with the TATA AIG MediCare Select health insurance plan and you never have to worry about medical expenses ever again!